Alva Review-Courier -

The Kiowa District Hospital (KDH) Board of Directors met for their regular meeting Sept. 26. In the absence of President Pat Myers, Vice-President Jeff Miller presided over the meeting with all other members present: Marcia Cantrell, Jim Parker and Chantae Simpson. CEO/CFO Janell Goodno also sat at the board table along with Dr. Paul Wilhelm, Business Office Manager Tara Girty, Hospital DON Robyn Whitaker, Facilities Director Brad Applegarth, Accountant/Biller Courtney Larson and Friends of the Hospital and Manor Foundation President Judy Schrock.

Goodno reminded the board that KDH was awarded $200,000 in tax credits. They've sold $30,000 so far and would like to sell $100,000 by the end of the year. They've got until the end of 2024 to sell the tax credits.

Goodno invites the public to the KDH Health Fair Friday, Oct. 20, 7–10 a.m. A wide variety of tests are available. Pre-registration is available by calling 620-825-4131 to schedule.

Giving the facilities report for the manor Applegarth presented funding requests through the end of the year. The projects range from exterior painting, a top priority, to doors at the manor. Painting the doctor's house is included in the plan. The board previously approved $98,102.06 in expenditures for these projects. That's contingent on funding through the Foundation. The other projects at the manor and doctor house total around $100,000. Simpson suggested the board tour the Manor to “see” the priorities. They tabled the matter and have since scheduled the tour for Wednesday afternoon.

Applegarth said that work is progressing on the childcare addition. The plumbers will be here next week and the floor finished by next Friday. The concrete block walls and structural concrete should be finished by the end of October.

Goodno said the recent KDHE survey of the Rural Healthcare Clinic was “great.” The survey said the “RHC was significantly compliant.”

Goodno stressed that KDH does NOT take any Medicare Advantage plans. It's open enrollment time again starting in October. KDH is not contracted with any Medicare Advantage plans. She stresses that to patients. Goodno said those plans regularly over-promise and under-deliver. KDH has patients who ask why their insurance doesn't pay if they have Medicare Advantage. She said it's up to patients to decide for themselves.

Jeans and Gems raised just under $39,000 after expenses Girty confirmed. She said the Bob and Grace Hays Foundation also contributed $50,000, bringing the total to $89,000.

Giving the CEO report, Goodno said the Employee Monthly Spotlight goes to Heather Summers. In an effort to reduce accounts receivable the CFO said they have a new KDH Finance and Collections Process. They have Care Credit, which she said is a little bit more aggressive collection program – an Up-Front Collections Protocol. Gayle McNett is offering a new Staff Leadership Development position. National Rural Health Conference: Brandy Campbell – National Patient Satisfaction Award.

Current Staffing Update: Manor Dietary Aide; RN/LPN RHC.

Medical staff appointment by the board was for Adam Hecht, MD (vRad). Other monthly reports were approved: quality minutes and the IT report.

An All Employee Appreciation Event is planned for Oct. 27 at Kiowa Community Building. Adults only.

Hospital and Manor Financials and Statistical Reports

Larson presented the statistics and financial reports for July business at the hospital and manor. Total admissions at the hospital were 21. The total days of acute and swingbed care were 73 – of which 20 were acute and 67 were swingbed.

Outpatient visits totaled 859. Some of the departments with the largest visits were: Lab, 341; Therapy, 223 (the largest of the year so far); X-ray, 95; ER, 69; CT Scans, 41. Clinic visits totaled 583, which is the best month of the year so far. Year-to-date clinic visits total 4,403, which is the best in the last five years.

The hospital's operating statement for July shows a gain of $56,264. Net patient revenue was $696,621 plus $29,231 340B drug discount program revenue. This made total operating revenue $725,853. Total operating expenses were $758,255. This created a net loss from operations totaling $32,403. The addition of $67,602 tax revenue; $9,609 memorial/grant income; $1,446 rental income and interest earned; and $10,000 tax credit money; made the hospital show a gain of $56,264. Year-to-date the hospital's loss at the end of July was $127,952.

The manor had 23 residents and was getting two more, which is what their budget is set upon, Goodno said in the absence of Manor Administrator Anton. Larson continued with the manor financials. Total operating revenue was $180,973. Total operating expenses were $204,135 for a net loss from operations of $23,162. The addition of $5,000 tax revenue and $7386 misc income totaling $12,385, curbed the manor's loss to $10,777. Year-to-date the manor's loss was $349,859 at the end of July.

Turning to the hospital and manor comparative balance sheets, Larson said cash-on-hand for both entities was $1,995,727. Still due from Medicare was $66,234. Uncollected taxes were $416,430.

The combined year-to-date loss for the hospital and manor totaled $479,173 at the end of July.

Girty gave Accounts Receivable info. Total AR for manor and hospital was $1,295,441. Average Days in AR were 43. Payments made toward AR were $659,682.

The board approved the financial and statistical reports. The bad debt accounts and one financial assistance case were reviewed in a 40 minute executive session at the meeting. After the executive session the board approved the risk management monthly report.

The next regular board meeting is October 25, 7 p.m., in the KDH Kirkpatrick room.